On 10 January 2017, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), visited Malipo County of Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province. During her visit, she met with Mr. Zhao Yong, Deputy Head of Wenshan Prefecture, and Mr. Yang Wenfu, Deputy Head of Malipo County, and exchanged views on local cooperation between ASEAN and China as well as border trade.

Mr. Zhao Yong and Mr. Yang Wenfu mentioned the economic and social development of Wenshan Prefecture and Malipo County respectively and their friendly relations with Viet Nam. Wenshan Prefecture is connected with Viet Nam by mountains and rivers with three of its counties bordering Viet Nam. It has three national category-two ports such as the Tianbao International Port of Malipo and 24 passages for border trade. In recent years, Wenshan Prefecture has had frequent interactions with three Vietnamese provinces, namely, Hà Giang, T?nh Tuyên Quang and T?nh Lào Cai, which has led to closer cooperation in transportation, cross-border tourism, culture, sports, agriculture and forestry, and the establishment of exchange mechanisms between governments at multiple levels. Wenshan Prefecture and Malipo County will leverage their advantages, continue to expand cooperation with relevant provinces and cities of Viet Nam and look forward to ACC’s continued support and assistance.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping elaborated on the development of ASEAN-China relations and what ACC has done to promote the bilateral relations. She said that the two sides held a series of activities to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations and the Year of Educational Exchange in 2016 which have proven effective. This year marks the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and the ASEAN-China Year of Tourism Cooperation which opens up new opportunities for ASEAN-China relations. ACC will continue to play its role as a one-stop information and activities centre, facilitate sub-national exchanges, and assist Wenshan and Malipo in cooperating with Viet Nam and other ASEAN countries to strengthen practical cooperation in border trade, cross-border tourism, etc. and achieve common development.

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